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United States Patent |
5,128,656
|
Watanabe
|
July 7, 1992
|
Level detecting method and its apparatus
Abstract
A level detecting method and apparatus wherein a tubular member with one
end open has a stationary wave generating means located within the tubular
member. The stationary wave generating means generates stationary waves
having a node or antinode at the open end, whereby a switching signal is
provided when the open end of the tubular member is completely closed by a
measuring object or when the measuring object approaches the open end. The
apparatus comprises an oscillator, a tubular member with only one end
open, stationary wave generating means for generating stationary waves of
a specific frequency so as to have a node or antinode at the open end of
the tubular member by receiving an oscillation output from the oscillator,
the means being installed within the tubular member to divide it into an
opening side and a closing side, and a switching circuit for providing a
switching signal when the open end of the tubular member is completely
closed by the measuring object or when the measuring object approaches the
open end.
Inventors:
|
Watanabe; Kajiro (Koganei, JP)
|
Assignee:
|
Kansai Automation Co., Ltd. (Osaka, JP)
|
Appl. No.:
|
573916 |
Filed:
|
August 28, 1990 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
340/621; 73/290V; 181/402; 367/908 |
Intern'l Class: |
G01F 023/28 |
Field of Search: |
73/290 V
340/612,616,617,618,621
367/908
181/402
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3229523 | Jan., 1966 | Boyd et al. | 73/290.
|
3572119 | Mar., 1971 | Bak | 73/290.
|
4170135 | Oct., 1979 | Booman et al. | 73/290.
|
4325255 | Apr., 1982 | Howard et al. | 73/290.
|
4458530 | Jul., 1984 | Bastida | 73/290.
|
4790183 | Dec., 1988 | Pfost et al. | 73/290.
|
4807471 | Feb., 1989 | Cournane et al. | 73/290.
|
Primary Examiner: Cuchlinski, Jr.; William A.
Assistant Examiner: Gutierrez; Diego F. F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Koda and Androlia
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A level detecting apparatus comprising:
an oscillator;
a tubular member with only one end open;
an acoustic stationary wave generating means for generating acoustic
stationary waves of a specific frequency so as to have a node or antinode
at the open end of the tubular member by receiving an oscillation output
from the oscillator, the means being installed within the tubular member
to divide it into an opening side and a closing side;
a communicating member provided to communicate between the opening side and
the closing side of the tubular member divided by the acoustic stationary
wave generating means; and
a switching circuit for providing a switching signal when said one open end
of the tubular member is completely closed by a measuring object or the
measuring object approaches said one open end to therby indicate that a
predetermined level has been reached.
2. A level detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
communicating member is composed of a fine tube.
3. A level detecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a fine pore
communicating with outside is disposed in the closing side of the tubular
member.
4. A level detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a fine pore
communicating with outside is disposed in the closing side of the tubular
member.
5. A level detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a partition
wall having a hole in its center is disposed between the open end in the
tubular member and the stationary wave generating means, and the hole in
the partition wall is positioned at a node of the stationary wave.
6. A level detecting apparatus comprising:
an oscillator ;
a tubular member with only one open end;
an acoustic stationary wave generating means for generating acoustic
stationary waves of a specific frequency so as to have a node or antinode
at the open end of the tubular member by receiving an oscillation output
from the oscillator, the means being installed within the tubular member
to divide it into an opening side and a closing side;
a fine pore communicating with an outside disposed in the closing side of
the tubular member; and
a switching circuit for providing a switching signal when said one open end
of the tubular member is completely closed by a measuring object or the
measuring object approaches said one open end to therby indicate that a
predetermined level has been reached.
7. A level detecting apparatus comprising:
an oscillator;
a tubular member with only one end open;
an acoustic stationary wave generator means for generating acoustic
stationary waves of a specific frequency so as to have a node or antinode
at the open end of the tubular member by receiving an oscillation output
from the oscillator, the means being installed within the tubular member
to divide it into an opening side and a closing side; and
a sponge disposed so as to close a passage of acoustic stationary waves
from the acoustic stationary wave generating means between the open end in
the tubular member and the acoustic stationary wave generator means, the
sponge in the tubular member being positioned at a node of the acoustic
stationary wave; and
a swtiching circuit for providing a switching signal when said one open end
of the tubular member is completely closed by a measuring object or the
measuring object approaches said open end to thereby indicate that a
predetermined level has been reached.
8. A level detecting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a tube is
inserted into the opening side of the tubular member in a manner free to
move back and forth, and the sponge is disposed at an insertion end of the
tube.
9. A level detecting apparatus comprising:
an oscillator;
a tubular member with only one end open;
an acoustic stationary wave generator means for generating acoustic
stationary waves of a specific frequency so as to have a node or antinode
at the open end of the tubular member by receiving an oscillation output
from the oscillator, the means being installed within the tubular member
to divide it into an opening side and a closing side;
another tubular member provided on the open end portion of the tubular
member and an open end of the another tubular member is formed into a
bellows and made of a flexible material; and
a switching circuit for providing a switching signal when said one open end
of the tubular member is completely closed by a measuring object or the
measuring object approaches said one open end to thereby indicate that a
predetermined level has been reached.
10. A level detecting method utilizing a tubular member having at least one
open end and an acoustic stationary wave generating means inside thereof
dividing said tubular member into an opening side and a closing side,
wherein:
a acoustic stationary wave having a node or antinode at the open end is
generated by said acoustic stationary wave generating means,
an acoustic impedance variation of an inside of said tubular member is
detected as an electric impedance variation of said acoustic stationary
wave generating means when said open end is completely closed by a
measuring object or when the measuring object approaches said open end,
and
a switching signal is generated according to said electric impedance
variation which indicates the detected level of the measuring object.
11. A level detecting method according to claim 10 wherein:
said specific frequency is a resonance frequency of said acoustic
stationary wave generating means.
12. A level detecting apparatus comprising:
a tubular member having only one open end,
a acoustic stationay wave generating means provided inside said tubular
member dividing said tubular member into an opening side and a closing
side, said acoustic stationary wave generating means generating acoustic
stationary waves of a specifice frequency so as to stand a node or
antinode of acoustic stationary wave at said open end of the tubular
member,
an oscillator for driving said acoustic stationary wave generating means,
and
a switching circuit, said switching circuit detecting an acoustic impedance
variation of an inside of said tubular member as an electric impedance
variation of said acoustic stationary wave generating means when said open
end is completely closed by a measuring object or when the measuring
object approaches said open end, said switching circuit furhter generating
a switching signal according to said electric impedance variation.
13. A level detecting apparatus according to claim 12. wherein:
said specific frequency is a resonance frequency of said acoustic
stationary wave generating means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a level detecting method for detecting if
content (object to be measured) in a tank or the like has reached a
specified level or not without making contact therewith, and its
apparatus.
2. Prior Art
Conventionally, as this type of level detecting method and its appartus,
contact type apparatuses have been employed, in which, for example, a rod
element vibrating vertically at a specific frequency is disposed
projecting from the wall into the inside of a tank containing content such
as powder, granules, or lumps, and when the materials contacts with the
rod element to restrict the vibration of the rod element, the vibration of
the rod element is stopped by the content, so that it is detected that the
content has reached to a specified level.
The apparatus of this type, however, has its own problems, that is, since
the vibration of the rod element is designed to be restricted and stopped
by being pressed by the content having its own weight, in the case of very
light object such as feather and cotton, even if the object to be measured
reaches a specified level, it is not detected at all.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is hence a primary object of the invention to present a level detecting
method capable of detecting reliably even the level of very light
materials such as feather and cotton, and also to provide such an
apparatus.
To solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention firstly presents a
level detecting method wherein a tubular member with one end open has a
stationary wave generating means at the other end thereof, and the
stationary wave generating means generates acoustic stationary waves or
acoustic standing waves (hereinafter called "stationary waves") having a
node or antinode at the open end, whereby a switching signal is provided
when the open end is completely closed by measuring object or when the
measuring object approaches the open end to thereby indicate that the
desired level has been reached.
The invention secondly presents a level detecting apparatus comprising an
oscillator, a tubular member with both ends open, acoustic stationary wave
generating means or acoustic standing wave generating means (hereinafter
called "stationary wave generating means") for generating stationary waves
of a specific frequency so as to have a node or antinode at one open end
of the tubular member by receiving an oscillation output from the
oscillator, the means being attached to the other open end of the tubular
member, and a switching circuit for providing a switching signal when said
one open end of the tubular member is completely closed by the measuring
object or the measuring object approaches said one open end.
According to the first constitution of the invention, stationary waves are
generated in the tubular member by the stationary wave generating means,
such as loudspeaker, piezoelectric vibrator, quartz vibrator,
magnetostriction oscillator, and set in a resonance state. And when the
open end of the tubular member is closed by the measuring object, the
stationary waves in the tubular member become in a nonresonance state and
a high load is applied to the stationary wave generating means, thereby
the high impedance of a driving coil or the like is detected and a
switching signal is provided.
According to the second constitution, one of the open ends of the tubular
member is set open, and the other end is closed by installing stationary a
wave generating means, such as loudspeaker, piezoelectric vibrator, quartz
vibrator, magnetostriction oscillator, the stationary wave generating
means being driven at specific frequency to generate stationary waves in
the tubular member. The stationary waves in the tubular member are set in
a nonresonance state when the opened end is closed by the measuring
object, and when a detecting part for detecting a high impedance of a
driving coil or the like detects the high impedance, a switching signal is
provided.
Therefore, it is possible to detect reliably even the level of very light
materials such as feather and cotton.
In addition, the structure is very simple as compared with conventional
ones, which brings about high productivity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing of a first embodiment for explaning the
principle of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is an electrical equivalent circuit of a loudspeaker in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is an explanatory drawing for explaining the function of the first
embodiment,
FIG. 4 is an electrical equivalent circuit of the loudspeaker in a
resonance state,
FIG. 5 is a system circuit explanatory drawing including the circuitry of
driving the loudspeaker in FIG. 1,
FIG. 6 is an explanatory circuit diagram for explaining FIG. 5,
FIG. 7 is an improved circuit diagram of the circuit in FIG. 5,
FIG. 8 is a sectional explanatory drawing of a sensor unit in a second
embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 9 is an explanatory drawing of mounting a sensor unit on a tank in a
third embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 10 is a sectional explanatory drawing for explaining an improved
example of FIG. 8 and also an enlarged explanatory drawing of essential
parts in FIG. 9,
FIG. 11 is an enlarged explanatory drawing of essential parts in FIG. 10,
FIG. 12 is a sectional explanatory drawing for explaining a case of level
detection of a solution in a plant or the like in a fourth embodiment,
FIG. 13 is a sectional explanatory drawing of essential parts enabling to
adjust the length of a tubular element in FIG. 8 in a fifth embodiment,
FIG. 14 is a sectional explanatory drawing of essential parts enabling to
adjust the length of a tubular element in FIG. 8 in a sixth embodiment,
FIG. 15 is a sectional explanatory drawing in which an open end portion of
the tubular element in FIG. 8 is made flexible in a seventh embodiment,
FIG. 16 is an explanatory drawing in which the sensor unit having the
structure shown in FIG. 15 is mounted on a tank,
FIG. 17 is a modified example of FIG. 15 as an eighth embodiment,
FIG. 18 is a modified example of FIG. 10 as a ninth embodiment,
FIG. 19 is a explanatory drawing of a signal processing circuit from a
microphone shown in FIG. 18, and
FIG. 20 is a tenth embodiment showing other embodiment relating to the
sponge shown in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, the basic principle of the invention is
described below.
Numeral 1 is a loudspeaker, which is an acoustic stationary or acoustic
standing wave generating means (hereinafter merely called "stationary wave
generating means,") possessing a resonance point (resonance frequency) in
acoustic characteristic and it is driven in sine wave by a driving circuit
4 described below of which driving frequency is set so as to match with
the resonance frequency of the loudspeaker 1. An electric equivalent
circuit of the loudspeaker 1 is expressed as a series circuit of capacitor
1a, coil 1b, resistance 1c, and variable acoustic impedance 1d as shown in
FIG. 2. Numeral 2 denotes a tube (tubular member) with the both ends open
and formed in a cylindrical shape; one open end is closed by the
loudspeaker 1, while the other open end A is left open. The length of the
tube 2 is set at an odd-number multiple of 1/4 wavelength of sinusoidal
driving signal of the loudspeaker 1, in which acoustic stationary waves or
acoustic standing waves (hereinafter merely called "stationary waves") are
to be generated so that a node may be formed in the other open end A of
the tube 2.
In such constitution, while the other open end A of the tube 2 is left
open, a sound wave emitted from the loudspeaker 1 becomes an acoustic
stationary wave or acoustic standing wave (hereinafter merely called
"stationary wave", which is shown by the solid-line wave form in FIG. 1)
in the tube 2 and becomes in a resonance state.
However, when the other open end A of the tube 2 is completely closed by an
object 3 as shown in FIG. 3, the sound wave (the solid-line waveform in
FIG. 3) emitted from the loudspeaker 1 hits against the object 3 in its
node part, thereby changing over to in a nonresonance state (indicated by
broken-line waveform deviated in phase by 90 degrees from the solid-line
waveform in FIG. 3). That is, the sound wave has an antinode at the other
open end A, and the variable acoustic impedance 1d of the loudspeaker 1 is
changed to high impedance. Meanwhile, since the loudspeaker 1 is driven at
the same driving frequency as the intrinsic resonant frequency of the
loudspeaker 1 (the resonant frequency of the resonance circuit composed of
capacitor 1a and coil 1b), the electrical equivalent circuit of the
loudspeaker 1 becomes a series circuit of the resistance 1c and variable
acoustic impedance 1d as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, by detecting the
difference between the synthetic impedance (the impedance in a series
circuit of capacitor 1a, coil 1b, resistance 1c, and variable acoustic
impedance 1d) when the other open end A of the tube 2 is left open, and
the synthetic impedance when closed (the impedance in a series circuit of
resistance 1c and variable acoustic impedance 1d), it is possible to
detect whether the object 3 has closed the other open end A completely or
not.
In the foregoing embodiment, meanwhile, the stationary waves are set to
have a node at the other open end A, but they may be also set to have an
antinode there, and in this case a nonresonant state is established when
the other open end A is left open, and when it is closed by the objects 3,
a resonant state is created.
Incidentally, it is considered ideal that the acoustic characteristic of
the loudspeaker 1 to the frequency may be set flat, that is, a loudspeaker
free from a resonance point. However, in the present invention, such a
resonance point is positively utilized, a weight may be formed with resin
or the like on the cone paper (or its equivalent) of the loudspeaker so as
to generate a desired resonance point.
Next is explained a method of detecting the change of the synthetic
impedance in the circuit shown in FIG. 5.
Specifically, numeral 4 is an oscillation circuit (driving circuit) of
which oscillation frequency is set at the same frequency as that of the
resonance point of the loudspeaker 1, and numeral 5 is a bridge circuit
composed of a synthetic impedance R4 of resistances R1, R2, R3 and
loudspeaker 1 (since usually in a resonance state, it is hence the sum of
resistance 1c and variable acoustic impedance 1d shown in FIG. 4), the
bridge circuit being supplied with an oscillation output in sine wave from
the oscillation circuit 4. In an open state while the other open end A of
the tube 2 is not closed by the object 3, the equation
R1.times.R2=R3.times.R4 is established, and the voltage at the junction of
resistance R1 and synthetic impedance R4 and the voltage at the junction
of the resistances R2 and R3 are equal and provided. Numerals 6a, 6b are a
first and a second half-wave rectifying circuit, and two voltages provided
from the bridge circuit 5 are supplied, and are respectively half wave
rectified and provided. Numeral 7a, 7b are a first and a second
integrating circuit for integrating the rectified outputs supplied from
the first and the second half-wave rectifying circuit 6a, 6b by a specific
time constant. Numeral 8 denotes a comparing circuit which compares the
integral outputs supplied respectively from the first and the second
component circuit 7a, 7b. and provides a high level signal when the output
of the second integrating circuit 7b is greater. Numeral 9 is an alarm
lamp which lights up to tell that the other open end A of the tube 2 is
closed by the object 3 when the output of the comparing circuit 8 becomes
high level.
When thus composed and the loudspeaker 1 is driven at the same frequency as
that of its resonance point, in the state shown in FIG. 1, the other open
end A of the tube 2 is set open and a resonance state is established, and
therefore the bridge circuit 5 is balanced, and the integral outputs from
the first and the second integrating circuit 7a, 7b are equal.
Accordingly, the output of the comparing circuit 8 remains low level and
the alarm lamp 9 does not light up.
When the other open end A of the tube 2 in a resonance state is closed by
the object 3, the variable acoustic impedance R4 of the loudspeaker 1 is
changed to the larger side by changing the stationary waves to in a
semiresonance state (the sine wave indicated by the dotted line in FIG.
3), and the bridge circuit 5 becomes in a state of
R1.times.R3.noteq.R2.times.R4 so as to be set in an imbalanced state. As a
result, the integral outputs from the first and the second integrating
circuits 7a, 7b are mutually different in magnitude, and the alarm lamp 9
lights up by a high level output signal from the comparing circuit 8,
thereby indicating that the other open end A is closed.
Meanwhile, as the loudspeaker 1 has a sound receiving function as a
microphone besides a sound generating function, if there is made a large
noise in a tank storing measuring materials or a hitting sound by an
object hitting against the outer wall of the tank, a noise of a frequency
component different from the driving frequency of the loudspeaker 1 could
be generated as a counterelectromotive force in a driving terminal of the
loudspeaker 1 (in an equivalent circuit, indicated as pulse generation
source 26; see FIGS. 6, 7), the noise being impulsive and having a large
wave crest value in a short time. The generation of the
counterelectromotive force sometimes causes wrong operation of the
apparatus. Therefore, in the case of generation of the above-mentioned
hitting sound or the like being anticipated, in order to eliminate such a
noise, as shown in FIG. 6, a band pass filter 25 extracting only the
driving frequency of the loudspeaker 1, or a frequency component same the
as the output signal of the oscillation circuit 4 may be inserted between
an input terminal of the second rectifying circuit 6b and a nongrounding
side terminal of the resistance R4. In FIG. 6, meanwhile, a pulse
generation circuit 26 is shown for convenience sake, but it is not an
actual circuit constituent element.
Furthermore, in the circuit shown in FIG. 5, the resistance R2, R3 of the
bridge circuit 5, the first rectifying circuit 6a and the first
intergrating circuit 7a generate a reference voltage becoming a threshold
for driving the alarm lamp 9, and by replacing them with the reference
voltage generating circuit 27 in FIG. 7, the circuit may be simplified.
In FIGS. 6 and 7, those shown with the same reference numbers as in FIG. 5
are equivalents thereof.
In this embodiment, although the loudspeaker 1 is provided at one end of
the two open ends of the tubular member 2, the structure of the present
invention is naturally not limited to this and the loudspeaker 1 may be
provided inside the tubular member 2.
Second Embodiment
The constitution is explained by referring to FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the same
or equivalent parts as in FIG. 1 are identified with the same reference
numbers and are not explained herein.
Numeral 10 is a cylindrical protective tube for covering the loudspeaker 1
so as to be sealed from behind, and its length is set to an integer
multiple of the half wavelength of the driving frequency of the
loudspeaker 1, so that the resonance state may be always formed. The
protective tube 10 is disposed so that the air may communicate with the
tube 2 through a fine tube 11, in other words, it is connected so that the
pressure fluctuation may be transmitted to behind the loudspeaker 1, if
the pressure in the tube 2 (varying along with the pressure in the tank in
which the apparatus is installed) varies slowly, so that the cone paper
(or its equivalent) of the loudspeaker may not be broken by being thrust
forward or backward by pressure. If the air in the tube 2 is high in
temperature and when the air is desired to be released outside, small
pores 12 may be pierced in the circumferential wall of the protective tube
10. The positions of such pierced small pores 12 are naturally at a node
of the stationary wave formed by driving of the loudspeaker 1 in the
protective tube 10 (the frequency and the driving frequency of the
loudspeaker are the same).
Third Embodiment
The construction is explained by referring to FIGS. 9 to 11. In FIGS. 9 to
11, the same or equivalent parts as in FIG. 8 are identified with the same
reference numbers and are not explained herein.
In FIG. 9 is shown that the level detecting apparatus shown in FIG. 8 is
set downward, or the open end A of the tube 2 is set downward, and is set
and fixed on the side wall of a tank 13 so that, even if granular or
powder measuring object 14 is getting into the tube 2, it is prevented
from staying in the tube 2 and is soon to roll and fall down. This
constitution provides the function of measurement and detection as a level
detecting apparatus.
A detailed structure of the level detecting apparatus attached to the tank
13 is described by referring to FIGS. 10 and 11. Numeral 15 is a sponge,
and it is disposed at the portion of a node of the stationary wave in the
tube 2 by the sound wave generated by the loudspeaker 1, the portion being
of the smallest vibration or movement of the air molecular for propagation
of sound wave. Numeral 16 is a tube with both ends open, of which outside
diameter coincides with the inside diameter of the tube 2. At one of its
open ends projects a ring-shaped flange 17 inward and the sponge 15 is
adhered and fixed to the flange 17. And at the other open end is formed an
engaging part 18 with a U-shaped section to fit onto a circumferential
edge of the other open end A of the tube 2.
In thus composed tube 16, as the engaging part 18 is pushed until it is
stuck with the circumferential edge of the other open end A of the other
tube 2, the sponge 15 is disposed at the position of a node of the
stationary wave. Then the sponge prevents dust getting into the tube 2
from the other open end A from depositing on the loudspeaker 1, and
moreover it does not impede the passing of the sound so that the detecting
precision may be secured for a long period. When the sponge 15 get dirty,
it may be replaced with a new one by drawing it out the tube 16, and
therefore maintenance is easy.
Fourth Embodiment
The constitution is explained by referring to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 shows a
structure in which the tube 2 in FIG. 10 is attached to the tank 13 with
its front end part bent downward by 90 degrees. Numeral 2' is a tube,
which is bent downward by 90 degrees at its middle part. A tube 16 is
stuck with the front end part of the tube 2' and a chemical-resistant
sponge 15' is adhered to a flange 17 of the tube 16 (same as in FIG. 11).
The disposing position of the sponge 15' is, needless to say, at a node of
the stationary wave formed in the tube 2'. The sponge 15' is acidic or
alkaline so as to neutralize the vapor of measuring liquid 14', the level
of which being detected, invading from the front end part of the tube 2'.
In such constitution, the level of the liquid 14' may be monitored without
contacting with strong acidic or strong alkaline liquid 14', and a
contactless level switch of very simple maintenance may be obtained.
Numeral 11' is a small pore pierced in the protective tube 10', which is
designed to match the internal pressure of the tank 13 with that of the
protective tube 10', thereby preventing breakage of the cone paper or its
equivalent of the loudspeaker 1.
Fifth Embodiment
The constitution is explained by referring to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 shows the
structure of the front end part of the tube 2 in FIG. 16, in which another
cylindrical tube 19 is screwed into the front end of the tube 2, and by
rotating the cylindrical tube 19, the length of the entire tube may be
adjusted so that a node or antinode of the stationary wave may be
positioned at the open end of the tube, and therefore the sensitivity
adjustment at the time of shipment is facilitated.
Sixth Embodiment
The constitution is explained by referring to FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, the
shape of the cylindrical tube 19 in FIG. 13 is changed to a trumpet-shaped
tube 20 increasing and opening toward the front end. Thus, by gradually
increasing the inside diameter of the tube 20 toward the front open end,
even measuring object 14 of large particles or lumps may easily get into
the tube 20, and the open end is securely closed, so the measuring object
14 may be easily detected.
Seventh Embodiment
The constitution is explained by referring to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is to show a
tube 21 in which the shape of the front end part of the cylindrical tube
19 in FIG. 13 is modified into flexible bellows. In a base part 21a of the
tube 21 is formed a fixing part to be stuck and fitted to the front end
part of the tube 2 and a cylindrical wire netting 21b knitted in mesh form
is disposed inside the bellows part. Accordingly, if the measuring object
14 is heavy object such as metal scrap and is dropped or jumps to hit the
tube 21 in the directions indicated by B in FIG. 16, the tube 21 is
flexibly deformed and is then restored to the original form, that is, it
is designed not to be broken. The wire netting 21b is set to have a mesh
such that the object may not get into the recess of the bellows.
Eighth Embodiment
The constitution is explained by referring to FIG. 17. In FIG. 17, instead
of the bellows tube 21 in FIG. 15, plural annular recesses 22a are formed
on the circumferential surface to convert into a flexible tube 22, and the
same effects as shown in FIG. 15 are obtained.
Ninth Embodiment
The constitution is explained by referring to FIGS. 18 and 19. Firstly
relating to the different points in FIGS. 18 and 10, in FIG. 18 a ceramic
microphone 29 for detecting the magnitude of the sound emitted from the
loudspeaker 1 and propagating through the tube 2 is added. The microphone
29 is arranged in a housing 32 disposed outside of the tube 2 between the
loudspeaker 1 and the sponge 15, in a manner of dividing the space in the
housing 32 into two. One space of the devided two communicates with the
space in the tube 2 through a small-diameter hole 28, while the other
space (the rear space of the microphone 29) communicates with the one
space through a tiny air passing hole (not shown).
The electric circuit connected to the loudspeaker 1 and the microphone 29
used in the above-mentioned constitution is described by referring to FIG.
19. In FIG. 19, the same parts as in FIG. 5 are identified with the same
reference numbers and are not explained herein. The loudspeaker 1 is
driven in sine wave in the same circuit as the driving circuit 4 described
in FIG. 5. The microphone 29 is connected to the band pass filter 25 for
extracting only the frequency component same as the driving frequency of
the driving circuit 4.
When thus composed, if the other open end A of the tube 2 is left open, the
stationary wave is formed in the tube 2 and is resonating, so that the
microphone 29 detects a loud sound. However, as the other open end A
gradually becomes to be closed by the measuring object, the resonance
state is gradually turned into a semiresonant state, and the sound
detected by the microphone 29 gradually reduces to a specified lower
level.
Tenth Embodiment
The constitution is explained by referring to FIG. 20. The structure of
FIG. 20 posesses a dust preventive function of the sponge 15 in FIG. 11,
and a small-diameter hole 31 is formed in the center of a thin sheet 30.
Since the thin sheet 30 is disposed at a node of the stationary wave
formed in the tube 2, the sheet 30, even its hole 31 is small, does not
cause any barrier because there is no air movement there.
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